Shower and bath cabinet

ABSTRACT

A cabinet for storing hygiene products in a shower/bath enclosure is provided. The cabinet comprising a rectangular exterior formed by a top face, a bottom face, a rear face, a first side face and a second side face surrounding an interior cavity. The top face and the bottom face are sloped. The bottom face has drain holes at a rear of the bottom face. Shelving tracks horizontally aligned, with the shelves optionally coupled to the shelving tracks and having drain holes. A first door attached to the first side face via hinges and having a recessed handle at a base of the first door. A second door attached to the second side face via hinges and having a recessed handle at a base of the second door. The first and second door pressure fitted and flush with the exterior and coupling members optionally coupled to slots on the rear face.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a shower and bath cabinet, morespecifically, but not by way of limitation, more particularly to acabinet for storing one or more personal hygiene products in a shower orbath enclosure.

BACKGROUND

Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should inno way be considered as an admission that such related art is widelyknown or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

Currently most showers and baths are extremely limited in storage forshampoo bottles, soaps etc. The tiny shelf that sometimes accompanyshowers and bath inserts is not nearly enough space for the averageuser. Most modern homes also incorporate a lot of glass which cannothide the mess that happens especially since you have no choice to putthem on the shower floor which presents a serious trip hazard. Currentmarket products incorporate open wire racks, which do not conceal anyclutter and mess and are unstable for the products not holding themsecurely.

U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0013279 A1 (MacMillan et al.) discloses a bathroomcabinet packaged and designed for easy mounting on a wall. The mirroredwall mounted cabinet uses quick release door hinges, enabling easy rapidinstallation of the cabinet by an individual while protecting themirrored door hinge attachment components from damage. The cabinet dooris then attached to the mounted cabinet body without using tools.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growth,an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access, an inability to adjust shelving toaccommodate a wide variety of personal hygiene product shapes and sizesand an inability to be secured and removed from one bathroom surface toanother.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,708,310 A (Smith) discloses a corner mounted tray isessentially triangular in shape and comprises a perforate bottom wall,upstanding side and front walls and is releasably attached to a verticalwall by a mortise and tenon type connection. The connection includes arelatively narrow segment adhesively affixed on the back wall thereof tothe vertical wall and providing, on the front wall thereof, one or moreshoulder forming elements. The side walls of the tray provide recessesfor receiving the shoulder forming elements and supporting the traythereon.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growth,an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access, an inability to adjust shelving toaccommodate a wide variety of personal hygiene product shapes and sizesand an inability to be secured and removed from one bathroom surface toanother.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,430 A (Ke) discloses a door back hanging organizerdevice comprising an upper locating plate, a lower locating plate, belt,and a fixing plate. The upper and lower locating plates are respectivelylocated at both ends of the belt, each of locating plate having twolines of bending holes for selective bending of the locating plate ateither line of the bending holes into an inverted U-shaped configurationfor convenient fixation of the locating plate on the top and bottom of adoor body. The belt can be adjusted for length and tension. The fixingplate has two slots at upper and lower ends and a hook with a channel atthe upper rear end thereof. The two devices can be used together withthe fixing plates being arranged respectively at right and left sides ofthe door installation of a cross hanging rod and a net bag therebetweenby way of the channel in two hooks appropriately arranged on the rightand left devices. Accessories, such as a hanging ring, can be attachedto the device by way of the hooks.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growthand an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,971,737 B2 (Newbould et al.) discloses a wall mountableshelf for storing items in a shower or bath enclosure including a frame,a base member connected with the frame, a back plate connected with theframe and arranged to support the frame on the wall and adhesivearranged between the back plate and the wall for securing the shelf tothe wall surface. The frame includes a top rail portion, a front railportion, and a pair of side rail portions connecting the top railportion and the front rail portion, where each side rail portionincludes a back portion extending downwardly from the top rail portionand a bottom portion extending from the back portion to the front railportion arranged at an angle of less than 90°.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growth,an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access and an inability to adjust shelving toaccommodate a wide variety of personal hygiene product shapes and sizes.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,938,279 B2 (Kaplan) discloses a door back hangingorganizer device that is portable and an adjustable unique organizerdevice for hanging on the top of wall(s) or panel(s). The device has aframe structure with shelves and bars to store and organize variousaccessories or hygiene items particularly used in showers.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growth,an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access, an inability to adjust shelving toaccommodate a wide variety of personal hygiene product shapes and sizesand an inability to be secured and removed from one bathroom surface toanother.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,402,476 B2 (Crandall) discloses a shelf system for ashower having a shelf and a second pieces that attaches to a cornerwhere the shelf and second piece are connectable in a mortise and tenonarrangement.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growth,an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access, an inability to adjust shelving toaccommodate a wide variety of personal hygiene product shapes and sizesand an inability to be secured and removed from one bathroom surface toanother.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,554,673 B2 (Panzella) discloses a towel shower caddy foran improved combination apparatus designed to safely, securely, andefficiently store and transport items, which may be used in the courseof personal showering or bathing. The device is essentially comprised ofat least one storage container that may contain a towel or other items,may attach above or below a shower head pipe, has a door which maycontain a speaker and other electronic devices, a moveable exteriorshelf, two detachable hanger members, four detachable suction cups, asupport base, a detachable interior shelf and dividing wall, and acollapsible and detachable carrying handle. Different embodiments of thetowel shower caddy may include a frame, a door, a fixed handle assembly,a support base system, a fixed hanger system, two hanger covers, and adetachable exterior shelf system.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growthand an inability to accommodate bathroom accessories within the storagecontainer for easy access.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,770,137 B2 (Berke) discloses a mountable lockershower/bath storage caddy which is securable or lockable for securelystoring a bottled personal hygiene item such as a bottle of shampoo,which is only accessible to a person having a code or key to unlock thecontainer.

Shortcomings include an inability to adjust shelving to accommodate awide variety of personal hygiene product shapes and sizes and aninability to be secured and removed from one bathroom surface toanother.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,883,742 B2 (Yang et al.) discloses a shower caddy withshelf adjustably mounted along an elongate support member and aplurality of shelves having an accessory that has a deployable dividerand/or an expandable bottom. Certain embodiments of the shelving systeminclude an attachment mechanism configured to couple a lower portion ofthe support member to a stationary object, such as a wall.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutterand an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildewgrowth.

U.S. Pat. No. 10,517,416 B1 (Petren) discloses an over-the-door rackcomprises a first suspension hook, a second suspension hook, a firstvertical member, a second vertical member, a first hanging member, and asecond hanging member. The first hanging member has a plurality ofdouble hooks. The second hanging member has a plurality of hooks. Theover-the-door rack is configured to be affixed to the door such that theover-the-door rack extends away from the top horizontal plane of a doorand such that the first hanging member is positioned lower than a middleof a vertical length of the door.

Shortcomings include an inability to safely store one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure while reducing clutter,an inability to prevent holding water to reduce mold and mildew growthand an inability to be secured and removed from one bathroom surface toanother.

All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference.

It is clear that there exists a need for a shower and bath cabinet.There is need for a cabinet for safely storing one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure, that reduces clutter,that has adjustable shelving to accommodate a wide variety of personalhygiene product shapes and sizes, that is designed to prevent holdingwater to reduce mold and mildew growth, can be secured and removed froma bathroom surface with ease and can accommodate bathroom accessories.

BRIEF SUMMARY

It is an object of the invention to provide a cabinet for storing one ormore personal hygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided acabinet for storing one or more personal hygiene products in a shower orbath enclosure comprising a rectangular exterior formed by a top face, abottom face, a rear face, a first side face and a second side facesurrounding an interior cavity. The exterior having rounded cornerswhere the top face meets the first side face and the second side face,and the bottom face meets the first side face and the second side face.The top face and the bottom face being sloped from a front of theexterior to the rear face to promote residual water to pool towards therear face and the bottom face having a plurality of drain holes at arear of the bottom face to release the pooled residual water. One ormore pair of shelving tracks affixed to the first side face and thesecond side face, each of the pair of shelving tracks being horizontallyaligned. One or more interior shelves optionally coupled to the one ormore pair of shelving tracks for providing a surface to store the one ormore personal hygiene products. Each of the interior shelves having theplurality of drain holes. A first door hingely attached to the firstside face within the interior cavity via one or more hinges to coverhalf of the front of the exterior and having a recessed handle at a baseof the first door for gripping the first door to open and close thefirst door. A second door hingely attached to the second side facewithin the interior cavity via the one or more hinges to cover half ofthe front of the exterior and having a recessed handle at a base of thesecond door for gripping the second door to open and close the seconddoor. The first door and the second door pressure fitted to locktogether when flush with the exterior and one or more coupling membersoptionally coupled to one or more slots on the rear face for affixingthe cabinet to a surface of said shower or bath enclosure.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the one or morecoupling members is a suction cup.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a mirror is affixedto an exterior of the first door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a mirror is affixedto an interior of the first door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a mirror is affixedto an exterior of the second door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a mirror is affixedto an interior of the second door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the mirror is ananti-fog mirror.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more razorholders is affixed to the interior of the first door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more razorholders is affixed to the interior of the second door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more hooks isaffixed to the interior of the first door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more hooks isaffixed to the interior of the second door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more soapholders is affixed to the interior of the first door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, one or more soapholders is affixed to the interior of the second door.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a surface of theshelves contains a non-slip rubber for providing traction for thepersonal hygiene products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

In the figures, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is tobe expressly understood that the description and figures are only forthe purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding.

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the attached figures, wherein the figures:

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective bottom view 100 a of a shower and bathcabinet 102, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective top view 100 b of a shower and bathcabinet 102, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2A illustrates an interior view 200 a of a shower and bath cabinet102, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates an interior view 200 b of a shower and bath cabinet102, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view 300 a of a shower and bath cabinet 102,in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 3B illustrates a sectional view 300 b of a shower and bath cabinet102, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view 400 a of a shower and bathcabinet 102, in accordance with one embodiment.

FIG. 4B illustrates a rear view 400 b of a shower and bath cabinet 102,in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of thisspecification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and thedescription below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of thesubject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings,and the claims.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicatelike elements.

The present invention provides a shower and bath cabinet that may beused with many different embodiments. As such, the general purpose ofthe present invention, which will be described subsequently in greaterdetail, is to provide a new and improved cabinet for storing one or morepersonal hygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure, which providesthe advantages and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective bottom view 100 a of a shower and bathcabinet 102, according to some embodiments. The shower and bath cabinet102 is an enclosure employed for storing one or more personal hygieneproducts and comprises a rectangular exterior formed by a top face 104,a bottom face 106, a rear face (not currently shown), a first side face108 and a second side face (not currently shown) with two outwardlyopening doors, the first door 110 and the second door 112, attached tothe first side face 108 and the second door 112 respectively,surrounding an interior cavity (not currently shown).

The first door 110 and the second door 112 are beveled at the base andare flush with the exterior of the cabinet when the first door 110 andthe second door 112, which forms recessed handles 114 at a base of thefirst door 110 and at a base of the second door 112. Each recessedhandle 114 may be gripped for opening and closing the respective door.In some embodiments, the first door 110 and the second door 112 are madeout of a plastic, bamboo, steel, acrylic, fiberglass in order to belightweight and waterproof. When the first door 110 and the second door112 are closed, water is significantly limited from entering the showerand bath cabinet 102. The bottom face 106 is shown with a plurality ofdrain holes 116 at a rear of the bottom face 106 to release any pooledresidual water within the interior cavity of the shower and bath cabinet102.

Furthermore, the exterior of the shower and bath cabinet 102 containsrounded corners 118 where the top face 104 meets the first side face 108(not currently shown) and the second side face (not currently shown) andthe bottom face 106 meets the first side face 108 and the second sideface (not currently shown). The rounded corners 118 prevent injury forthe user during accidental contact with the shower and bath cabinet 102.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective top view 100 b of a shower and bathcabinet 102, according to some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, theexterior of the shower and bath cabinet 102 contains a visible roundedcorner 118 where the top face 104 meets the first side face 108.

FIG. 2A illustrates an interior view 200 a of a shower and bath cabinet102, according to some embodiments. The shower and bath cabinet 102further comprises one or more pair of shelving tracks 202 affixed to thefirst side face 108 and the second side face 204, where each of thepairs of shelving tracks 202 are horizontally aligned and one or moreinterior shelves 206 are optionally coupled to the one or more pair ofshelving tracks 202 for providing a surface to store the one or morepersonal hygiene products. Each of the shelves 206 are shown containinga plurality of drain holes 208 for allowing residual water to passthrough to the level below until it reaches the bottom face 106 and isexpelled out of the drain holes 116 of the bottom face 106.

In the embodiment shown, the first door 110 and the second door 112 arein an open position revealing the interior of the shower and bathcabinet 102. Three shelving tracks 202 affixed to the first side face108 are shown with a shelf 206 attached to the middle shelving track202. A pair of razor holders 210, a pair of hooks 212 and a soap holder214 are shown affixed to the interior of the first door 110.

The shower and bath cabinet 102 further comprises a first door 110hingely attached to the first side face 108 within the interior cavityvia one or more hinges 216 to cover half of the front of the exteriorand a second door 112 hingely attached to the second side face 204within the interior cavity via one or more hinges to cover half of thefront of the exterior. In some embodiments, the surface of the shelves206 contain a non-slip rubber, providing traction to keep the personalhygiene products in place.

FIG. 2B illustrates an interior view 200 b of a shower and bath cabinet102, according to some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, a mirror218 is shown affixed to the interior of the second door 112. In someembodiments, the mirror 218 is an anti-fog mirror.

In some embodiments one or more of the razor holders 210, the hook 212,the soap holder 214 and the mirror 218 may be affixed to the interior ofthe first door 110. In some embodiments one or more of the razor holders210, the hook 212, the soap holder 214 and the mirror 218 may be affixedto the interior of the second door 112. In some embodiments, one or moremirrors 218 may be affixed to the exterior of the first door 110. Insome embodiments, one or more mirrors 218 may be affixed to the exteriorof the second door 112.

FIG. 3A illustrates a top view 300 a of a shower and bath cabinet 102,according to some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the first door110 and the second door 112 are pressure fitted to lock together whentheir respective ends meet when the shower and bath cabinet 102 isclosed. The first door 110 and the second door 112 are flush with theexterior of the cabinet when they are in the pressure fitted lock.

FIG. 3B illustrates a sectional view 300 b of a shower and bath cabinet102, according to some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, the topface 104 and the bottom face 106 are sloped from a front of theexterior, the first door 110 and the second door 112, to the rear face302 in order to promote residual water to pool towards the rear face302. Furthermore, a shelf 206 is shown inserted into a shelving track202 with a plurality of drain holes 116 to release any pooled residualwater present on the surface of the shelf 206 as well as any pooledresidual water falling onto the shelf 206 from above. In someembodiments, the shelving tracks 202 and the shelves 206 are sloped inthe same manner as the top face 104 and the bottom face 106.

The bottom face 106 is shown with a plurality of drain holes 116 at arear of the bottom face 106 to release any pooled residual water withinthe interior cavity of the shower and bath cabinet 102. The combinationof the drain holes 116 in the shelves 206 and the bottom face 106 alongwith the sloped surfaces allows for proper drainage of residual waterwithin the within the interior cavity of the shower and bath cabinet 102and prevents mold and mildew growth.

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view 400 a of a shower and bathcabinet 102, according to some embodiments. In the embodiment shown, theshower and bath cabinet 102 is shown affixed to a bathroom surface 402via four suction cups 404 coupled to four slots 406 near each of thecorners of the rear face 302. The one or more coupling members, shown inthis embodiment as the suction cups 404, may be optionally orpermanently coupled to the one or more slots 406. The one or morecoupling members can be any fastener in the art for temporarily orpermanently affixing a cabinet to one or more bathroom surfaces 402.Some alternative coupling members include, but are not limited to,permanent fixtures, or combinations of adhesive strips of hydrogel andsuction cups 404 or hooks.

The shower and bath cabinet 102 is optionally coupled to one or morebathroom surfaces 402 to be able to adjustable to be at a heightdesirable to the user and for remodeling and layouts changes. The showerand bath cabinet 102 also makes cleaning easier since the user no longerneeds remove any personal hygiene products from the bath or shower, asthey can all be contained within the shower and bath cabinet 102.

FIG. 4B illustrates a rear view 400 b of a shower and bath cabinet 102,according to some embodiments. Similar to FIG. 4A, this embodimentdisplays the shower and bath cabinet 102 having four suction cups 404coupled to four slots 406 near each of the corners of the rear face 302.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been presented for purposes of illustration anddescription. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit theinvention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously,many modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. As can be understood, the examples described above areintended to be exemplary only.

The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to bestexplain the principles of the invention and its practical application,and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize theinvention and various embodiments with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that variousomissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated ascircumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to coverthe application or implementation without departing from the spirit orscope of the claims of the present invention.

The term “connected”, “attached”, “affixed” or “coupled to” may includeboth direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to eachother contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least oneadditional element is located between the two elements).

As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed,that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantiallythe same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may beutilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to includewithin their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositionsof matter, means, methods, or steps.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cabinet for storing one or more personalhygiene products in a shower or bath enclosure comprising: a rectangularexterior formed by a top face, a bottom face, a rear face, a first sideface and a second side face surrounding an interior cavity, saidexterior having rounded corners where said top face meets said firstside face and said second side face and said bottom face meets saidfirst side face and said second side face, said top face and said bottomface being sloped from a front of said exterior to said rear face topromote residual water to pool towards said rear face and said bottomface having a plurality of drain holes at a rear of said bottom face torelease said pooled residual water; one or more pair of shelving tracksaffixed to said first side face and said second side face, each of saidpair of shelving tracks being horizontally aligned; one or more interiorshelves optionally coupled to said one or more pair of shelving tracksfor providing a surface to store said one or more personal hygieneproducts, each of said interior shelves having said plurality of drainholes; a first door hingely attached to said first side face within saidinterior cavity via one or more hinges to cover half of said front ofsaid exterior and having a recessed handle at a base of said first doorfor gripping said first door to open and close said first door; a seconddoor hingely attached to said second side face within said interiorcavity via said one or more hinges to cover half of said front of saidexterior and having a recessed handle at a base of said second door forgripping said second door to open and close said second door, said firstdoor and said second door pressure fitted to lock together when flushwith said exterior; and one or more coupling members optionally coupledto one or more slots on said rear face for affixing said cabinet to asurface of said shower or bath enclosure.
 2. The cabinet of claim 1,wherein said one or more coupling members is a suction cup.
 3. Thecabinet of claim 1, wherein a mirror is affixed to an exterior of saidfirst door.
 4. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein said mirror is ananti-fog mirror.
 5. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein a mirror is affixedto an exterior of said second door.
 6. The cabinet of claim 5, whereinsaid mirror is an anti-fog mirror.
 7. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein amirror is affixed to an interior of said first door.
 8. The cabinet ofclaim 7, wherein said mirror is an anti-fog mirror.
 9. The cabinet ofclaim 1, wherein a mirror is affixed to an interior of said second door.10. The cabinet of claim 9, wherein said mirror is an anti-fog mirror.11. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein one or more razor holders is affixedto said interior of said first door.
 12. The cabinet of claim 1, whereinone or more razor holders is affixed to said interior of said seconddoor.
 13. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein one or more hooks is affixedto the interior of said first door.
 14. The cabinet of claim 1, whereinone or more hooks is affixed to the interior of said second door. 15.The cabinet of claim 1, wherein one or more soap holders is affixed tothe interior of said first door.
 16. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein oneor more soap holders is affixed to the interior of said second door. 17.The cabinet of claim 1, wherein a surface of said shelves contain anon-slip rubber for providing traction for said personal hygieneproducts.